Data collect
Data on patients’ demographics and laboratory investigations during the
first 3 days of PICU admission were prospectively collected by the
attending intensivists according to standard practice in each PICU. In
addition, during PICU stay, data regarding onset, duration and type of
organ dysfunction, Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM III) scores
were registered by the same intesivist daily. The following data were
also recorded: age, sex, reasons for PICU admission, primary disease,
comorbidities and family history of HLH.
Initiation of CRRT and prescription of replacement and dialysis doses
were based on the decisions of the PICU attending intensivist. At the
time of starting CRRT, the following data were gathered prospectively:
reasons for CRRT initiation, days in PICU until CRRT initiation, total
fluid intake and output from admission to the PICU until initiation of
CRRT, mechanical ventilation and the number of vasoactive drugs to
support respiratory and circulation.
CRRT is performed either as continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH)
or haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). During CRRT therapy, a daily record was
kept of maximum dose of heparin, ultrafiltration rate, life of each
filter, CRRT-related complications and PICU mortality. Reasons to
terminate CRRT were as follows: patient death/withdrawal of support,
inability to continue CRRT, or regained organ function.
Laboratory
values were recorded upon admission to the hospital, admission to the
PICU, and initiation of CRRT.